A Hyderabad man lost Rs 99,018 from his bank account after a fraudulent phone software update, highlighting the growing prevalence of cyber scams exploiting routine device updates.
A 27-year-old man from Banjara Hills in Hyderabad has alleged that Rs 99,018 vanished from his bank account after a phone software update installed itself while he was watching Instagram Reels, according to Telangana Today. He told police the incident happened on the night of August 2 and that he only discovered the loss the following morning when he checked his account.
The money was taken in four unauthorised transactions, the report said. Police in Banjara Hills have registered a case and begun investigating the suspected cyber fraud.
The case fits a broader pattern of increasingly varied digital scams in Hyderabad and elsewhere, with fraudsters using fake links, phishing messages and malware disguised as routine updates or official services. Hyderabad police have repeatedly warned residents not to click on unsolicited links or share banking details and one-time passwords with callers or websites claiming to handle fines, courier redeliveries or card verification.
In December 2025, for example, Hyderabad cybercrime police said a man lost Rs 6 lakh after clicking a text message link about a traffic fine, while another resident was cheated out of about Rs 2.4 lakh in a courier delivery scam that began with an SMS. Police have also flagged APK-based frauds, in which victims are tricked into downloading malicious Android applications that can access OTPs and enable unauthorised payments.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
